District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2693
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-10: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to modernize the process by which the District of Columbia (DC) submits its local laws and charter amendments to Congress for review, allowing electronic transmission instead of requiring physical paper copies. It promotes efficiency in an era of digital communication while maintaining congressional oversight of DC's self-governance.
Key Provisions
- Amendments to the DC Home Rule Act:
- Adds a new paragraph to Section 602(c), permitting the Chairman of the DC Council to transmit "Acts of the Council" (local laws passed by the DC Council) in any form chosen, including electronic.
- Adds a new subsection to Section 303, allowing the Chairman to submit proposed charter amendments (changes to DC's basic governing document) electronically.
- Congressional Acceptance:
- Requires the House of Representatives and Senate to treat electronically transmitted DC Acts or amendments the same as paper versions for purposes of receipt and review.
- Rulemaking Authority:
- Enacts these changes as an exercise of Congress's rulemaking power, integrating them into each chamber's rules specifically for handling DC submissions. However, it explicitly recognizes that either chamber can alter these rules at any time, just like any other procedural rule.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prior to this bill, the DC Home Rule Act (which grants limited self-government to DC while reserving congressional approval rights) implied or required physical transmission of DC legislation to Congress, as electronic options were not explicitly authorized.
- This introduces flexibility by explicitly allowing digital formats, updating a 1973 law to align with modern technology without altering the core review process.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Streamlines operations for the DC Council and its Chairman by reducing reliance on paper-based submissions, potentially saving time and resources. Congress's clerical and oversight staff may handle submissions more efficiently through digital means.
- On Citizens: Minimal direct impact on DC residents, though it could indirectly speed up the legislative process for local laws, allowing faster implementation of DC policies on issues like education, housing, and public safety.
- On International Relations: No notable effects, as this is a domestic procedural matter limited to U.S. federal-DC interactions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DC Council and Chairman: Gains authority and convenience in submitting legislation, reducing administrative burdens.
- U.S. Congress (House and Senate): Must adapt procedures to accept and process electronic submissions equally, affecting oversight committees like Oversight and Government Reform (House) and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate).
- DC Government Agencies: Benefits from potentially quicker federal review cycles for local enactments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the procedural framework of the DC Home Rule Act without expanding or limiting DC's autonomy. The bill's focus on form (electronic vs. paper) ensures continuity in congressional veto power over DC laws.
- Constitutional: Invokes Congress's Article I authority over the seat of government (DC) and its internal rulemaking powers under the Constitution, balancing federal oversight with practical updates. No challenges to separation of powers are introduced.
- Political: Represents a bipartisan, non-controversial modernization effort (introduced by Rep. Norton, D-DC), potentially setting a precedent for digitalizing other federal-local interactions. It avoids broader debates on DC statehood or full home rule by focusing solely on transmission methods.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-10: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 2025-09-10: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-04-07: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-07: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-07: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E287)
- 2025-04-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act — issued 2025-04-07 — PDF (3 pages)